​To breed or not to breed – that is the question!

I (and many other breeders) often receive emails, text messages or phone calls with the message content being: “Hello, I am looking for a breeding pair / male / female. Do you have any?”

Most of the time, my reply is “No”. I have heard just about every reason why people don’t want a spayed/neutered kitten. For example:“I just want one litter – I’ve heard cats need to have a litter before being spayed.”1 or“My children have to experience the miracle of birth…”2 or“Cats get fat if they’re spayed / neutered.”3

1. Evidence shows that spaying or neutering will reduce / eliminate unwanted behaviours, such as aggression and spraying. Females that are spayed before their first heat, are typically healthier (spaying your female before her first heat cycle means she will have one-seventh the risk of developing mammary cancer & no risk of diseases and cancers of the ovaries and uterus) and experience less hormone-related moodiness such as the stress and discomfort that females endure during heat periods. Neutered males are less likely to roam, fight, or mark their territory with urine. Neutering also eliminates male cats’ risk of testicular cancer. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Sterilized animals live longer, happier lives.​2. If you are not a serious breeder, allowing your animal to reproduce only teaches your children irresponsibility. The miracle of birth is quickly overshadowed by the millions of animals euthanized in animal shelters every year. Teach children that all life is precious by spaying and neutering your pets. Youtube has plenty of videos about the miracle of birth…

3. “Obesity is primarily affected by diet, activity level and age. Neutered females are 2x more likely to be obese, but they live longer and tend to have more pampered lives. It should be noted that neutered animals in general require about 30% less calories. Obesity is a problem in America for humans and our companion animal friends. Years of working with feral cats and street dogs reveal a lot healthier yet not obese animals as compared to their intact counterparts. Prepubertal neutering helps delay obesity if anything but clearly is not a primary factor. Feeding less and exercising more will keep your pet fit and trim for life.” Dr. Jeff Young, DVM

The number one cause of death for cats remains euthanasia.

Are you still interested in an intact cat? If so, please continue reading…

Before you start breeding, ask yourself WHY. Why do You Want to Breed Cats? Be honest about this… Do you want to do it as a hobby?Do you want to improve the breed, perhaps even breed the next show stopper or COTY (Cat Of The Year) winner? Do you want to run breeding as a business? Maybe you just love cats and kittens?

Be sure you know what your reason is before embarking on this journey!

1. Making money out of breeding – The tough reality

Contrary to popular belief, you won’t make money by breeding cats – this is a hobby! Let me explain (in short) the unforgiving economical truth of being a breeder…

You will most likely work like a slave, contribute HUGE amounts of money and if everything goes according to plan… break even, after selling your kittens...! You have to acknowledge the fact that you are probably going to make a loss – if you don’t, you’re setting yourself up for disappointed! Cat breeding is a money sinkhole…

“You can make a small fortune in breeding cats – provided you start with a large one.”